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BGB Takes Issue With BBC

I’m not the only one who takes issue with the way the BBC covers videogames, Johnathan Cresswell over at the Britsh Gaming Blog feels the same way I do it seems. This extended, and well argued, piece relates to an episode of the Beeb’s One Show which went out last week, and while he claims it is a rant I would hesitate to refer to it as such. I define a rant as having a go at something you don’t like and are powerless to do anything about. I would suggest to Mr Cresswell that he sends his article to the BBC and sees what kind of response he gets to it.

A question was raised at the EIF which relates to this, both the TV execs, Simon Nelson of the BBC and Peter Cowley of Endemol, were asked what they would be doing to regain the trust of gamers after their industry (mainstrem media in general, the TV industry in particular) has effectivley used propaganda to marginalise and belittle them and the art form that they love. From this piece on The One Show it would seem to be nothing at all. Games are TV’s greatest competitors, so obviously TV is not going to throw their full support behind gamers, developers and publishers. The sensationalism and bias displayed, on many occasions not just this one, is not some kind of moral crusade or revelation of truth, its about ratings, viewing figures and money.

The reporting of news related to games and gaming is invariably of the ‘games are evil’ variety, Johnathan brings this up in relation to The One Show’s peice by highlighting the reporting of the murder 3 years ago of Stefan Pakeerah by Warren LeBlanc. Bringing up Stefan’s mother’s claims that the game Manhunt was responsible while ignoring the police findings that it wasn’t and the fact that Leblanc didn’t have a copy of the game in his possession, is evidence enough of the BBC’s bias.

I found it quite heartening however to read that Vanessa Feltz (one time daytime talk show host) seemed to be the only one trying to bring some objectivity and sanity to the proceedings. Saying that Parents should be taking more responsibility for what their children get up to and the media which they consume was right on the ball, its just a shame that it came from Vanessa Feltz and not a psychologist like the one they rolled out to condemn games.

The meat of the story is a cause for concern, the fact that a 14 year old went into 10 shops and tried to buy Grand Theft Auto, only being refused by one (Tesco’s of all places) is shocking and the various chains involved should be investigated thoroughly and dragged over the coals for their laxity. This was lost in the mire of lazy reporting and sensationalism which the peice was dressed up in, extremely dismaying coming from an institution which has long been regarded as a bastion of fair and balanced reporting.

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